James S. Bell Junior Middle School

James S. Bell JMS is a public elementary school in the Etobicoke district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. James S. Bell is part of the Toronto District School Board and serves the west end neighbourhood of Long Branch.HistoryThe village of Long Branch did not have its own school until 1913. Children of the village had to travel along a cow's lane and over some railroad tracks to the Horner Avenue School. In 1913 a four grade classroom was opened in the old Baptist Church on 27th Street. This small school consisted of one room which was heated by a coal stove and had outdoor facilities. The teacher was Mr. John McGrath. This little classroom was known as S.S. No. 16 - Etobicoke.In 1915 a four-room, two floor, school was built on the site which is now 3495 Lakeshore Blvd. West. This school became known as the Long Branch Public School. When the school opened there were only two classrooms on the main floor. The second floor had not yet been partitioned and was used as an auditorium. There were two playrooms in the basement, one for the boys and one for the girls. Children brought their lunches and had hot chocolate everyday which was prepared by one parent, Mrs. Ludow. She made this hot chocolate in the boiler room. The school had a large front lawn which was flooded in winter and used as a skating rink. In time, the second floor was partitioned to make two additional classrooms. The staff consists of Mr. McGrath, the principal, Miss Murchison, the teacher and Mr. Chavener, the caretaker. In 1920 six rooms were added to the rear of the building and in 1923 four rooms were added to the front of the building. By 1924 Long Branch Public School had grown in size to fourteen rooms.